February 7, 2014

Mark 6: 14-29

King Herod heard of it, for Jesus’ name had become known. Some were saying, “John the baptizer has been raised from the dead; and for this reason these powers are at work in him.” But others said, “It is Elijah.” And others said, “It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” But when Herod heard of it, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.”

For Herod himself had sent men who arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because Herod had married her. For John had been telling Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed; and yet he liked to listen to him.

But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee.When his daughter Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it.” And he solemnly swore to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.” She went out and said to her mother, “What should I ask for?” She replied, “The head of John the baptizer.”

Immediately she rushed back to the king and requested, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her. Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother.

When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.

Our Best for the Lord

Today’s first reading from the Book of Sirach offers a eulogy of the life and leadership of King David: “With his every deed he offered thanks to God Most High, in words of praise. With his whole being he loved his Maker.” A fitting tribute to the complex life of the Lord’s own anointed king of Israel.

Fast forward to the time of King Herod and his infamous banquet when Herodias’ daughter dances before the king and, as a reward, asks for the head of John the Baptist on a platter. Truly an ignominious death for the man who baptized Jesus and invited the world to “Behold the Lamb of God.”

Kings and rulers of all stripes often hold the power of life and death. That power is often misused as the lives of grace-filled women and men become pawns in the intrigue of forces beyond their control. Perhaps these readings offer us encouragement to work for reconciliation, to strive for peace, to choose life!

—The Jesuit Prayer Team

Prayer

God of true forgiveness, violence and cruelty have no part with you. Give us peace in our days. May we rejoice in your mercy and share your peace with all we meet this day. Amen!

—The Jesuit Prayer Team

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February 7, 2014

Mark 6: 14-29

King Herod heard of it, for Jesus’ name had become known. Some were saying, “John the baptizer has been raised from the dead; and for this reason these powers are at work in him.” But others said, “It is Elijah.” And others said, “It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” But when Herod heard of it, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.”

For Herod himself had sent men who arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because Herod had married her. For John had been telling Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed; and yet he liked to listen to him.

But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee.When his daughter Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it.” And he solemnly swore to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.” She went out and said to her mother, “What should I ask for?” She replied, “The head of John the baptizer.”

Immediately she rushed back to the king and requested, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her. Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother.

When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.

Our Best for the Lord

Today’s first reading from the Book of Sirach offers a eulogy of the life and leadership of King David: “With his every deed he offered thanks to God Most High, in words of praise. With his whole being he loved his Maker.” A fitting tribute to the complex life of the Lord’s own anointed king of Israel.

Fast forward to the time of King Herod and his infamous banquet when Herodias’ daughter dances before the king and, as a reward, asks for the head of John the Baptist on a platter. Truly an ignominious death for the man who baptized Jesus and invited the world to “Behold the Lamb of God.”

Kings and rulers of all stripes often hold the power of life and death. That power is often misused as the lives of grace-filled women and men become pawns in the intrigue of forces beyond their control. Perhaps these readings offer us encouragement to work for reconciliation, to strive for peace, to choose life!

—The Jesuit Prayer Team

Prayer

God of true forgiveness, violence and cruelty have no part with you. Give us peace in our days. May we rejoice in your mercy and share your peace with all we meet this day. Amen!